Well, he came in the other night, stinking to high heaven. Had to throw his "skunk smelling self" out of the house. He stayed outdoors for a few days, until the stink wore off. Then the other evening, we were coming in from the barn, Bullet was with us and I thought he came into the house, like he usually does---but he didn't. A little while later, this rank skunk smell came "wafting" through the house. I thought, "Where's Bullet?" Sure enough, it was him that had stirred up the skunk. He came back to the house all happy and proud of himself, and wanting to come in by the warm fire. Well, you can forget it! So, Bullet spent another few (very cold) days (and nights) outside. He'd come to the glass sliding doors, mush his (already smushed) nose up against the glass, and sit there shaking while he looked in on the warmth of the house and fireplace, and not at all understanding why he was left out in the cold. He hadn't done anything wrong. He hadn't peed on the carpet, tore anything up or caused any problems in the house. I'm sure he thought,
"Why are y'all being so mean to me?"

I wonder how many times we are "left out in the cold" and think God is punishing us (unjustly of course) and aren't even aware of the fact that our "distractions" have somehow led us astray. Then, when we're done "chasing our distractions" and we're ready for the "warmth" of God's favor and provision, we instead find ourselves on the outside looking in. I bet to God, we have that same dumb expression Bullet has! Clueless. See, what we don't realize is what Bullet is clueless of---when we go off after things we aren't supposed to, we don't realize it but the "essence" of what we went after is still on us! Strongly on us. After our little escapades, we want to waltz right into God's favor and blessing. It ain't gonna happen Jack. We stink! Thank God, He knows how to clean us up, but we gotta be willing to submit ourselves to Him and His process of cleaning. It's more than an "I'm sorry prayer"---it's an honest realization of the situation and an honest heart crying out to God for His cleansing. When we meet the criteria, God will more than meet the need!